Esterillos Costa Rica Pics

Check out some of these pics taken by Kate Treadway who lives in Esterillos Oeste. Costa Rica.
She's been living here for almost 5 years and has probably seen it all and has taken much better picture than I can even imagine taking in my short time here.

It's Jen and Joyce this week

There are still plenty of savings
as well as new items here at the shop
for those of you that
want to stop by and see us.
This week Jen and Joyce
will be mixing it up for you with new packets,
new silk sari ribbon and
new paper packets created by Joyce.
Who knows what new goodies they might pull out of the back room!!!!

Come see us in Saluda - one last time...

Traveling to the mountains of North Carolina over Thanksgiving?
Stop in and see us at Random Arts
while we are still open to the public.
Meet up with Jen or Louise Tues, Wed. Fri or Sat
this next week and
see the beautiful new colors of recycled silk ribbons that just came in!!!

Transferring birds - one tree to another

The tag collection continues today as one more of my interesting little tags
makes an appearance. I
am pretty sure that this tag
didn't live long at my shop
as it was quickly snatched up
by a bird catcher....
Someone really liked this one.

Tag me not...

I created this tag a while ago but found it again while I was cleaning up and packing.
I love those bird stickers from Cavallinni. There are so many things that you can do
with them.
This tag started with a piece of heavy interfacing, then I added some fabric, a transferred
word, mica, and a vintage tape measure. Oh yeah, the leaf ribbon that has been dyed to
work with my colors at hand. Keep an eye out for more new ribbon to make it's debut at
our first show in Sanford, Jan. 8th and 9th.



While you're at it, don't forget to sign up for our woven book class at the Hampton Inn in Sanford, NC (that's near Raleigh) from 6-10pm (after the show closes on Friday). Just $50. and you will leave with a completed, hand crafted, Italian blank page journal, ready for your most intimate (or not) entries.
Reservations can be made by emailing us at:
randomarts@charter.net
or we can send you a pay pal invoice.

Is it 2010 yet?

We will be here in Concord, Nc
in blooming spring color and textural radiance to
bring you Random Arts as you have never seen us before.

Can you believe we are already

getting excited about
this event next year?
This will be our
3rd year as a vendor at Donna Downey's
Inspired Artist Event in
Concord, NC.
It's a 3 day, fun filled, non stop
art retreat over flowing with
high energy and maximized enthusiasm.
Check with Donna for available space so
you won't miss out!!!

Louise's completed charm bracelet with a
variety of elements from vintage buttons
to paper clay coins to photo holders and glass beads

Eight eager and anxious participants listened patiently to
each and every word as Louise McClure walked them
through the elements of creating their first charm bracelet.

Sandra Foy from Charlotte, NC and Marsha Stup
from Simpsonville, SC dutifully added beads,
wire and charms.

The whole group had a blast as did Louise,
this past Saturday.

Louise will be at Random Arts next year in our
new studio space for more exciting classes.
She will be joining me when we travel in 2010
to
The Quilt Needle Art Extravaganza
Jan 8th and 9th in Sanford, NC
&
Jan 29th & 30th in Statesville, NC

and
Artiscape in Ohio
on April 16th and 17th 2010
where she will be selling her jewelry.

What a group!!!

The Shady Ladies Altered Art group stopped by the shop last weekend for a shopping frenzy. This pic is only 6 of them, there were 2 more who missed out on the photo opp & 2 more that stayed behind to continue playing.
They came, they shopped, they ate, they shopped and off they went, back to their weekend retreat in the mountains of North Carolina.
Jeri Aaron organized this group and set them up in a huge house in Maggie Valley. Now that sounds like a fun weekend.

Everchanging leaves?

Mae Hawkins decided to find her own way
to play with the glorious fall leaves this year.
Here is her "formula" for transforming leaves
from disappearing treasures into
permanent, colorful collage pieces.

This is what you will need:

• fresh leaves
• rubber stamps & black/brown permanent stamp pad
• mulberry paper or other soft, flexible paper
• versamark stamp pad or embossing pad
• UTEE or Amazing Glaze clear embossing powder
• Ultimate or Sobo glue for gluing words on leaves
• Heat tool
  

Stamp words of your choice using a permanent stamp pad onto the mulberry paper.
let dry.
Then tear each section of words into little segments and glue onto leaves
When dry and secure, coat each leaf with the embossing pad by rubbing it on.
Quickly coat each leaf, before the embossing fluid dries, with the powder and heat with the heat tool until melted. Dip into the powder again, and heat. Repeat up to 4 times until the desired effect is achieved.
That's all there is to it, but try experimenting with other kinds of leaves, different translucent powders and other papers to see how it works.

Finally be sure to send us photos of your results so we can post them online.

Fluttering Friends...

Do birds flutter? or is it butterflies? hmmm, that could be debatable.
Nonetheless, these intriguing little gals were created out of metal by
our friend in Columbia, SC, Caroline Hatchell.
These are for sale here in our shop and she will take special orders for
"special" birds, with special words on each one.
Get your order in time for the holiday gift giving season.